I need recommendations for the best tasting protein powders and drinks. I do not like the taste of artificial sweeteners, but recognize I'll have to get used to those. I guess I want to hear from you, because there aren't good sample sized packages to try out new stuff. It's usually a $35 or more investment, and if I hate something, that's a lot of money to waste. Everyone is recommending Fairlife, and they're fine. They don't make me gag or anything, but they're not my favorite. I've never had a protein powder or protein drink that I liked. What do you think? If there isn't something just off the shelf, what types of recipes have you used? Does unflavored protein powder really have no flavor? What do you mix it with to make it palatable? Thank you!

I personally do not like the protein powders, they just don't mix well enough for me to enjoy them, they are gritty and not smooth, but that may be me because I can't shake them well enough I do have Unjury protein powder and clear isoprotein to add to my soft foods. I will use them now and again, but mostly I use the Premier Protein shakes, they have a variety of flavors and 30 grams of protein. I also have Protein20 which is a clear protein and the flavors are not great but I use them to take my meds since they must be crushed or opened capsules, they taste nasty, the Protein water has 15 grams of protein, and I mix my Benefiber in there, and take my meds with them, and count it as being part of my medication regimen. Maybe others have ideas? My urge to you is to try whatever you can, I did. It is expensive to do all the tries but everyone's taste is different, and sometimes you just have to "suffer through it" until the stuff is used up. I only bought 4 shakes at a time, and my drinks, it was hit and miss, and I hit on the protein tea, but missed on the protein 02 that I use for my meds. I have tried my Unjury Chocolate with water and with Fairlife milk and both ways tastes gritty to me. I prefer the pre-made protein shakes over the powders. Good luck, when is your surgery day?

As far as powders are concerned, isopure would be my favorite. I don't really love any of them tbh for many of the reasons @WendyJane mentioned. The one place I do use the isopure is in smoothies. I find it works well there when mixed with fruit, so that's probably my goto post-workout drink.

In terms of protein shakes, my favorites are probably any of the Fairlife brand drinks. I don't really use them very much anymore, but when I do need some extra protein and want it in liquid form, I do prefer the taste of Fairlife vs. others like premier protein. I also use Fairlife milk in place of regular to get a bit of an extra protein boost in my coffee, recipes, etc.

I have had really good experiences with the Quest powders. Great variety and super flavors.

I never had any on surgeons orders. I drank full skim milk and if I wanted a flavour added PB2 powder, banana, berries or a few spoons of protein yogurt. Super easy on the pocket too.

Can you just use regular peanut butter, like in a shake?

Cheap and heaven on earth is a premiere caffe late shake and a shot or two of expresso. It’s truly heaven. I feel like im cheating for sure!

On 5/15/2025 at 2:47 PM, Diane Kay said:

Can you just use regular Peanut Butter, like in a shake?

Yes but be careful of the sugar and fat content

Just scored a sack of this greatness yesterday.

Delicious.

Clean Simple Eats is really good. You can get the variety pack- adding them into Greek yogurt helps because that tang balances out the sweetness in my opinion. Isopure is great and very low carb, Premier protein is good. Latte one with decaf coffee makes an excellent cold brew. Making shakes and adding them are "ok" just have to be careful they can end up being high in calories and not super filling. You can do unsweetened almond milk, scoop of powder, 1/4 of banana, 1/4C of Greek yogurt, handful of spinach if you wanted to keep is low cal, and high protein.

But are you trying to protein shakes/ powders due to the stage you are in your journey?

I am 16months post op and am able to get all my protein from food. (I am able to eat probably more food than the average post op patient)

Edited May 20, 20251 yr by AmberFL

I live in the UK, so what you cam get over there may be different, but I like Myprotein. My favourite is to add the salted caramel flavour with some cinnamon to some oatmeal. But I also really like their chocolate mint and I add that or some of the cookie dough flavour to some milk when I want something a little sweet. I would also say get a good blender. I've done the protein shaker bottles and they just never blend in. I end up with milk and a lump of powder in the mixer part.

The BariatricPal Store carries a huge selection of Bariatric-friendly Protein drinks at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders.

Here are some popular options:

* Inspire Protein Powders by Bariatric Eating: These are my personal fave and can be found at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/inspire-protein

* BariatricPal Protein ONE: MultiVitamin, Calcium, Iron, Fiber & Meal Replacement from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/brand_bariatricpal

* Syntrax Nectar Protein Powder Sampler Variety Bag - All 17 Flavors! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/syntrax-nectar-protein-powder-sampler-variety-bag-all-17-flavors

* GENEPRO Medical Grade Unflavored Protein Powder - 3rd Generation! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/genepro/products/genepro-medical-grade-unflavored-protein-powder-3rd-generation

* Bariatric Advantage HPMR High Protein Meal Replacement - Available in 8 Flavors! from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powders/products/bariatric-advantage-high-protein-meal-replacement

* Protein tubs from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-powder-tubs

* Protein Smoothies from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/smoothies

* Hot Protein Drinks & Soups are great alternatives to protein shakes:

* Hot Protein Drinks: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/hot-protein-drinks

* Hot Protein Soups: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/soups-bouillons-broths

I like the Isopure Zero Carb 100% Pure Whey Isolate Protein Powder, Lactose Free, Gluten Free, With Vitamins, Unflavored. It can be mixed with sugar free drink mix or other drinks or mashed food. I do recommend a mixing bottle though to mix it up well.

Herbalife has some clear protein powder that mixes well with no odd aftertaste. I do that when I need a break from Fairlife.

My husband bought me a sample pack of Vanilla Clean Simple Eats to put in my Easter Basket. I mixed it with some fair life milk and put it in my coffee but not before I took a swig of it to taste and see. I was pleasantly suprised that everything i had heard about that brand was true. The price for an entire bag is bit of a shock to my Western Pa sensibilities (aka cheapness ?) but it’s a solid protein powder.

Edited June 23, 20251 yr by kellsbells0182